Radioactive waste storage container

ABSTRACT

A container for the storage of radioactive waste comprising a reversible lid having, on one hand, a first opening sealing portion provided with a first delimiting surface of an inner space wherefrom second gripping means project, said first portion being designed so as to be able to be force-fitted in an end part of a container body, and, on the other, a second sealing portion, provided with a second delimiting surface wherefrom first gripping means project, said second portion being designed so as to be able to be fitted in the end part.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS or PRIORITY CLAIM

This application is a national phase of International Application No. PCT/EP2007/061463, entitled “RADIOACTIVE WASTE STORAGE CONTAINER”, which was filed on Oct. 25, 2007, and which claims priority of French Patent Application No. 06 54556, filed Oct. 26, 2006.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a container for the storage of radioactive waste, such as gloves and sleeves used for handling procedures in glove boxes.

Indeed, an advantageous application of the invention consists of providing such a container intended to be installed in the glove box to store the contaminated waste therefrom, in order to prevent super-contamination of said waste liable to occur due to the dusty environment of glove boxes.

However, it obviously would appear to be desirable for such a container to have a design offering easy opening/closure of the lid for the operator generally performing several successive waste loading operations in the same container body, in that each of these loading operations requires the lid to be opened each time, followed immediately by the closure thereof after loading. In addition, it is also desirable for the design of the container to enable safe and easy handling of the container itself when said container is to be moved by the operator in the glove box, for example in order to remove it therefrom when it is filled with waste. In particular, during the handling of the container filled with waste, the lid must be locked on the container body so as to prevent any accidental reopening of the container.

In order to meet these expectations, the invention proposes a container for the storage of radioactive waste comprising a container body having an end part forming an opening to an inner container space, said container also comprising a removable lid capable of sealing the opening. In addition, the lid is a reversible lid having, on one hand, a first opening sealing portion provided with a first delimiting surface of the inner space wherefrom second gripping means project, said first portion being designed so as to be able to be force-fitted in the end part forming an opening, and, on the other, a second opening sealing portion, provided with a second delimiting surface of the inner space, opposite the first delimiting surface, wherefrom first gripping means project, said second portion being designed so as to be able to be fitted effortlessly in the end part forming an opening.

In this way, the invention effectively proposes a reversible lid which, according to the choice of face presented opposite the end part of the container body forming the opening to the inner space of said container, may either seal said opening by being fitted effortlessly on the container body, or seal said opening by means of force fitting on said container body. In this way, the operator seeking to seal the opening of the container body after a waste loading operation, for example in a glove box, has, on one hand, the opportunity to position the lid effortless by orienting the second sealing portion towards the opening, and, on the other, the option to position the lid by means of force fitting by orienting the first sealing portion towards said opening. In this way, the first solution will preferentially be adopted by the operator if he envisages immediate reopening of the container, for example to carry out another waste loading information, said reopening advantageously offering the possibility of being performed easily and effortlessly, using only one hand gripping the second gripping means projecting from the exterior of the container. On the other hand, the second solution will be preferentially adopted by the operator if he envisages obtaining a rigid hold of the lid on the container body, for example with a view to movement of said container requiring secure sealing due to the contaminated nature of the waste contained therein. This second solution, particularly adopted when the container is full and therefore needs to be handled, may easily be implemented using only one hand by an operator applying manual pressure on the prepositioned reversible lid on the container body, for example via the first gripping means.

Consequently, as part of the advantageous application of the invention aiming to use the container in a glove box so as to progressively store waste such as gloves and sleeves therein, the operator located outside the glove box will preferentially choose an opening followed by an effortless closure of the lid during the successive waste loading operations, using the second sealing portion of the lid, and therefore handling the lid easily using only one hand with the gripping means provided for this purpose. On the other hand, during the final loading of waste in the inner space of said container, the operator will preferentially choose closure by means of force fitting of the first sealing portion in the container body, obviously to obtain the rigid and secure sealing necessary to perform the subsequent removal of said container filled with waste, from the glove box, preferentially by means of a PVC sleeve. In this respect, it is specified that the lid may be positioned easily by an operator using only one hand applying manual pressure on the prepositioned reversible lid on the container body, via the first gripping means. Then, in the preferred case wherein the rigid, but reversible, mechanical junction established between the lid and the container is designed so as to be sufficiently secure, the operator may advantageously envisage moving the entire container only using the first lid gripping means, therefore with only one hand, without risking accidental reopening of the container.

Preferentially, the first opening sealing portion has a circumferential enlargement, the end part of the container body has a circumferential contraction zone, and said contraction zone and enlargement cooperate together so as to create a snap-fastened mechanical connection between the reversible lid and the container body, when the first opening sealing portion is fitted in the end part of the container body. As such, it is noted that the type of mechanical connection provided offers the advantage of allowing easy positioning by means of force fitting of the lid, and therefore more specifically by means of snap fastening, even using only one hand. In addition, once obtained, said snap-fastened mechanical connection makes it possible to ensure that the container does not reopen accidentally, even when the operator is required to move same only by gripping onto the first gripping means.

Preferentially, the device is therefore designed such that the circumferential enlargement can pass through the circumferential contraction zone of lesser diameter, following mere manual pressure along a longitudinal direction of the container, performed by an operator on the reversible lid positioned on the end part of the container body.

Preferentially, the first gripping means comprise a handle, and preferentially consist of said handle advantageously having suitable ergonomics to favour a good grip when handling the container. In addition, the second gripping means preferentially comprise a gripping pin, and preferentially consist only of said pin. As such, it is specified that providing two different and easily distinguishable designs for the operator enables said operator to rapidly choose the gripping means to grip, according to the lid sealing portion he wishes to have cooperate with the container body.

In such a case, it is envisaged that the gripping pin projects longitudinally from the first delimiting surface of the inner space over a distance d2, and that the handle projects longitudinally from the second delimiting surface of the inner space over a distance d1 greater than d2, the ratio between these two values being greater than 2. This makes it possible to provide first large gripping means suitable for being gripped onto with only one hand by an operator seeking to apply pressure on the lid so as to cause the snap fastening thereof, or seeking to move the entire container by only gripping onto said first means with suitable ergonomics. On the other hand, providing smaller gripping means makes it possible not to congest the effective loading space of the container, when said container is locked using the first lid sealing portion.

Preferentially, the first and second gripping means are respectively centred on the second and first delimiting surfaces of the inner space, which favours the handling operations performed by an operator using only one hand, very frequently encountered in the case of work in glove boxes.

Also preferentially, the container body is equipped with vent holes to prevent the closure of the lid being obstructed/prevented by excessive pressure created inside the inner space of the storage body. In this respect, it is noted that these holes, preferentially produced in the base of the container body, may also be used by the operator seeking to carry out container handling operations.

Preferentially, the container body comprises a convex shaped base, curved towards the inside of the inner space. This specific feature makes it possible to envisage stacking a plurality of containers on each other, the empty space formed by the outer surface of the convex base being able to be used to house the first gripping means of the next container in the stack. For this reason, the shape of the first gripping means and that of the container body base are closely linked.

Finally, it is envisaged that the container is made of polyethylene, which particularly avoids the use of metal materials, which are penalising in terms of contaminated waste management.

Other advantages and features of the invention will emerge in the non-limitative detailed description below.

This description will be given with reference to the appended figures wherein;

FIG. 1 represents a sectional view of a reversible radioactive waste container lid, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 represents a sectional view of a radioactive waste container body, intended to receive the lid shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows the container body and the lid represented in the previous figures, in an effortlessly fitted state; and

FIG. 4 represents a similar view to that shown in FIG. 3, the lid and the container body being represented in a force-fitted state.

With reference firstly to FIG. 1, it is possible to observe a reversible lid 2 of a radioactive waste container 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. This lid 2 is intended to be mounted in a removable/detachable fashion on the container body 4, which will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

Preferentially, the lid 2 has a lid body 5 having a geometry of revolution of longitudinal axis or axis of revolution 6, intended to be merged with the longitudinal axis of the container when said lid 2 is mounted on the container body. In addition, the lid body 5, therefore roughly taking the form of a circular plate, is equipped on the two opposing faces thereof respectively first gripping means and second gripping means, as detailed hereinafter.

More generally, the lid 2 comprises a first sealing portion 8 of a container body opening, provided with a first delimiting surface 10 of the inner space of a container, wherefrom second gripping means, in this case taking the form of a gripping pin 12 project. Therefore, the first delimiting surface 10 corresponds overall to one of the opposing outer surfaces of the lid body 5, and is preferentially situated orthogonally to the longitudinal axis 6 of the lid wherein said surface 10 is centred. In this respect, it is also envisaged for the gripping pin 12 to be centred on the lid 2, and therefore on said axis 6.

In order to facilitate the gripping of said pin 12 by an operator, it preferentially has a geometry of axis revolution 6, substantially forming a sphere 14 connected to the first surface 10 via a refracted concave generatrix revolution zone 16, enabling the housing of the operator's fingertips.

The gripping pin 12 projects longitudinally from the first delimiting surface 10 of the inner container space, over a suitable distance d2 to enable gripping by the operator. The distance d2 may be between 2 and 3 cm, and for example of the order of 2.5 cm.

As detailed hereinafter, one of the specific features of said first sealing portion 8 is that it has a design enabling same to be force-fitted by an operator in the container body, and preferentially by means of snap-fastening. For this purpose, it comprises on one longitudinal end of the lid body 5, i.e. from the first delimiting surface 10, a circumferential enlargement 18 centred on the axis 6 and therefore having a greater diameter than the mean diameter of the part of the lid body 5 forming the first sealing portion 8. In this case, the enlargement 18 is provided to form the male part of the sought snap-fastened connection with the container body.

Moreover, the lid 2 also comprises a second sealing portion 20, opposite the first 8 with respect to the axis 6. More specifically, the first and second sealing portions 8, 20 are separated from each other by an intermediate lid portion 22, preferentially taking the form of a shoulder 24 produced on the lid body 5 and centred on the axis 6.

The second portion 20 is provided with a second delimiting surface 26 of the inner space of the container, wherefrom first gripping means in this case taking the form of a handle 28 project. Therefore, the second delimiting surface 26 corresponds overall to the other of the two opposing outer surfaces of the lid body 5, and is preferentially situated orthogonally to the longitudinal axis 6 of the lid whereon said surface 26 is centred. In this respect, it is also envisaged for the handle 28 to be centred on the lid 2, and therefore on said axis 6. In other words, it is therefore envisaged for the lid body 5, whereon the gripping means 12, 28 are attached, to comprise the intermediate portion 22, the first and second delimiting surfaces 10, 26, and the circumferential enlargement 18. As an indication, the lid body may be made of a single piece, preferentially in polyethylene, and optionally be made of one piece with the gripping means 12, 28.

To facilitate the gripping of the handle 28, said handle has suitable dimensions to enable easy gripping by the clenched hand of an operator. As such, in the preferred embodiment described and represented, the arch 30 forming the handle extends in a curved and convex fashion on substantially the entire diameter of the second delimiting surface 26, therefore on substantially the entire diameter of the lid body 5. Moreover, the handle 28 projects longitudinally from the second delimiting surface 26 of the inner space of the container, over a suitable distance d1 to enable the operator to insert his fingers between the arch 30 and the second surface 26. In this way, the distance d1 may be between 4 and 6 cm, and for example of the order of 4.8 cm.

As detailed hereinafter, one of the specific features of said second sealing portion 20 has a design that enables same to be fitted effortlessly in the container body, simply by being positioned thereon. For this purpose, it comprises on another longitudinal end of the lid body 5, i.e. on the second delimiting surface 26, a side flank 32 having a cylindrical and circular cross-section centred on the axis 6, and therefore having a diameter slightly less than that of the part of the container body wherein the side flank 32 is to be fitted effortlessly.

With reference now to FIG. 2 showing the container body 4 intended to receive the reversible container 2, it is possible to observe that it defines an inner contaminated waste storage space 36, open at the top at one opening 38 and closed at the bottom via a base 40. The body 4 also preferentially has a geometry of revolution of axis of revolution or longitudinal axis 42, intended to be merged with the axis 6 of the lid 2 when said lid is in position on the body 4. It is also preferentially made of a single piece made of polyethylene.

The opening 38 whereby the contaminated waste is intended to be introduced into the inner storage space 36, is delimited by an end part 44 of the container body 4. Said end part 44 has the specific feature of defining a circumferential contraction zone 50 or circumferential neck, centred on the axis 42, therefore having a slightly greater inner diameter than that of the side flank 32 of the second sealing portion 20, and less than that of the circumferential enlargement 18 of the first sealing portion 8. In this respect, the circumferential contraction 50 is envisaged to form the female part of the sought snap-fastened connection with the lid 2. Indeed, the enlargement 18 and the contraction zone 50 are designed such that said enlargement 18 can pass through the zone 50 following manual pressure along a longitudinal direction of the container, applied by an operator on the lid 2 positioned on the end part 44 of the container body 4. Once it has been passed through by means of deformation, the contraction zone 50 makes it possible to form an abutment forming a stop in translation of the enlargement 18 upwards along the longitudinal axis 55 of the container, merged with the abovementioned two axes 6, 42.

In addition, the end part 44 has an upper edge 52 whereon the lid 2 may rest, said edge 52 centred on the axis 42 being preferentially orthogonal to said axis.

With respect to the base 40, it has a convex shape, curved towards the inside of the inner space 36. This specific feature makes it possible to envisage stacking a plurality of containers on each other, the empty space 54 formed by the outer surface of the convex base 40 being able to be used to house the handle 28 fitted on the next container in the stack, and projecting upwards outside said container. For this reason, the shape of the handle 28 and that of the base 40 of the container body 4 are closely linked, such that it is possible for example to envisage that said base 40 is convex along the longitudinal axis 42 over a distance d3 substantially equal to the abovementioned distance d1 relating to the handle 28.

As can be seen in FIG. 2, the base 40 is equipped with vent holes 56 to prevent the closure of the lid 2 being obstructed/prevented by excessive pressure created inside the inner storage space 36. Moreover, the purpose of the vent holes 56 is also to enable reopening of the locked container. Indeed, the holes form a grip that can be used particularly by a remote handling device, i.e. of the articulated arm type enabling handling via a glove box.

With reference to FIG. 3, it is possible to see the container assembly 1 with the container body 4 and the lid 2 represented in an effortlessly fitted state, i.e. with the second sealing portion 20 of the lid 2 simply resting on the end part 44 of the container body 4. More specifically, it is possible to see that the side flank 32 of the lid 2 is housed with play in the neck 50 of the body 4, the lid being held in position only by the contact between the intermediate lid portion 22 and the end part 44, and more specifically by the support of the shoulder 24 on the edge 52. In this way, the waste (not represented) stored inside the space 36 remain isolated from the external atmosphere, possibly being for example a dusty inner glove box atmosphere, but the next opening of the lid 2 may in any case be carried out easily and effortlessly by the operator with only one hand gripping the pin 12, by means of the play provided between the side flank 32 of the lid 2 and the neck 50 of the body 4.

Consequently, this first closure option with the second sealing portion of the lid is preferentially adopted by the operator when the container is not filled entirely, and if he knows that a subsequent contaminated waste loading operation is highly likely to be carried out with said container.

With reference to FIG. 4, it is possible to see the container assembly 1 with the container body 4 and the lid 2 represented in a force-fitted state, i.e. with the first sealing portion 8 of the lid 2 snap-fastened 44 of the container body 4. More specifically, it can be seen that the snap-fastened mechanical connection provided by the contact of the enlargement 18 and the neck 50 makes it possible to lock the lid in upward translation along the longitudinal axis 55 of the container, whereas the locking in downward translation is carried out by the contact between the intermediate lid portion 22 and the end part 44, and more specifically by the support of the shoulder 24 on the edge 52.

Such a container closure configuration, that can be considered to be locked, may simply be obtained by means of manual pressure along a longitudinal direction 55 of the container, performed on the lid 2 by an operator gripping only the handle 28, in the direction of the body 4 resting on the base 40 thereof

In this way, the waste (not represented) stored inside the space 36 remains isolated from the outer atmosphere, and the risks of accidental reopening of the lid are significantly minimised by the presence of the snap-fastened mechanical connection.

Consequently, said second closure option with the first lid sealing portion is preferentially adopted by the operator with the container 1 is entirely filled with waste, and said container must be handled without risking accidental opening, for example for the removal thereof outside the glove box. As an indication, this handling of the container 1 with the lid 2 locked may preferentially be carried out only using the handle 28.

Naturally, various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art to the invention described above, only as non-limitative examples. 

1. Container for the storage of radioactive waste comprising a container body having an end part forming an opening to an inner container space, said container also comprising a removable lid capable of sealing said opening, characterised in that said lid is a reversible lid having, on one hand, a first opening sealing portion provided with a first delimiting surface of said inner space wherefrom second gripping means project, said first portion being designed so as to be able to be force-fitted in said end part forming an opening, and, on the other, a second opening sealing portion, provided with a second delimiting surface of said inner space, opposite the first delimiting surface, wherefrom first gripping means project, said second portion being designed so as to be able to be fitted effortlessly in the end part forming an opening.
 2. Container according to claim 1, characterised in that said first opening sealing portion has a circumferential enlargement, in that said end part of the container body has a circumferential contraction zone, and in that said contraction zone and said enlargement cooperate together so as to create a snap-fastened mechanical connection between said reversible lid and said container body, when said first opening sealing portion is fitted in said end part of the container body.
 3. Container according to claim 1, characterised in that it is designed such that said circumferential enlargement can pass through the circumferential contraction zone of lesser diameter, following mere manual pressure along a longitudinal direction of said container, performed by an operator on the reversible lid positioned on the end part of the container body.
 4. Container according to claim 1, characterised in that said first gripping means comprise a handle.
 5. Container according to claim 1, characterised in that said second gripping means comprise a gripping pin.
 6. Container according to claim 4 characterised in that said second gripping means comprises a gripping pin and said gripping pin projects longitudinally from said first delimiting surface of said inner space over a distance (d2), and in that said handle projects longitudinally from said second delimiting surface of said inner space over a distance (d1) greater than (d2).
 7. Container according to claim 1, characterised in that said first and second gripping means are respectively centred on the second and first delimiting surfaces of said inner space.
 8. Container according to claim 1, characterised in that said container body is equipped with vent holes.
 9. Container according to claim 1, characterised in that said container body comprises a convex shaped base, curved towards the inside of the inner space.
 10. Container according to claim 1, characterised in that it is made of polyethylene. 